For his 60th birthday, Simon Bibby decided to challenge himself and do something a little different... running the London Marathon and raising over £2,800 in the process. Here's his summary of the amazing run and reaction:

"It was great - the crowds were amazing. I nervously waited with all the many heroines and heroes with their inspiring stories near the back. It took about 20 minutes to cross the start line and I was off into my 'high 5 shuffle' - slow but sure - feeding desperately off the crowd's encouragement, high fiving all the way (including an unfortunate high-five with a surprised man handing out globs of vaseline. It got a bit messy).

"With the endorphins still sending you skywards - the marathon itself is fantastic. The people shout your name which just keeps picking you up and throwing you forward another 100 yards."

Simon Bibby, Sand Dams Worldwide fundraiser and London Marathon runner.

At halfway I was only beaten by one (marathon runner dressed as a) rhino I think! Although I was gobbled up by a shark, and then a T-Rex too. I felt pretty good as I surged up and over Tower Bridge for hugs, encouragement and a banana from family and friends; who told me "You're on track for 5 hours!" This is before (like in the film Apollo 13) I disappeared off the screen and they had an agonising wait as I wobbled through the east end of London.

As everyone will tell you afterwards with the endorphins still sending you skywards - the marathon itself is fantastic. The people shout your name which just keeps picking you up and throwing you forward another 100 yards (that and my wife’s request that we got home before Poldark (television series) and before the dustcart could me up).

I was starting to wobble through the Isle of Dogs - because I forgot to engage with the crowd - but the drummers, the choirs and the bands give you hope at this point. Then my family were there again at the 18-mile mark telling me it's not far to go (they were not fooling anyone), and then yes! I made it through Canary Wharf, onto the Embankment and the people who had been waiting for hours. They didn't know me but it didn't stop them shouting "Come on Simon", and I was no longer shuffling - I was running. Well.. running-ish!

Then I reached Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and I was actually overtaking people thinking "Where's that rhino?" I made it on the Mall and saw the finish. I high fived my way round in 5 hours 19 minutes which means I came 31,721st out of 37,541 , or 20,829th out of 23,188 in the men only category, and 443rd out of 521 in the age 60-64 category. So I was only just ‘pipped’ by the Kenyans. And only one rhino (I think).

I was told its good to set a 'personal best' which presents a reasonable target for your next outing (run). Did I just say "next outing" Who am I kidding!"

We salute you Simon!

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